Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1370374
PalletCentral • May-June 2021 31 OSHA as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggest that employers should encourage worker vaccines and facilitate this where feasible, but they stop short of calling for mandated vaccine programs. Instead, their guidance outlines the potential benefits to both employers and to workers of offering free on-site COVID-19 vaccines at your business locations. While this may not be feasible for smaller employers at the present time, the approval of the Johnson & Johnson "one dose" vaccine – which also has more feasible refrigeration requirements – makes on-site workplace vaccine programs easier, with the potential for mobile medical van administration in the future. CDC/OSHA stress the following benefits to workplace vaccination programs: Potential benefits to employers n Keep the workforce healthy by preventing employees from getting COVID-19 n Reduce absences due to illness n Reduce time missed from work to get vaccinated n Improved productivity n Improved morale Potential benefits to workers n Prevent COVID-19 illness (and potentially death or serious complications from "Long- COVID") n Reduce absences and doctor visits due to illness n Offers convenience n Improved morale Where it is not feasible for an employer to offer on-site vaccination clinics, employers can be a vital source of information on where to get free vaccinations for workers, or even offer computer scheduling assistance for workers who may lack those resources at home or who may have language barriers when navigating pharmacy or state websites. Employers who decide to implement a vaccine program should ensure that they obtain input from legal, HR, labor representatives and management reps (especially where work schedules may be affected either during vaccines or when anticipating possible side effects from the shots), and occupational health providers in the area. In a union workforce, employers cannot unilaterally impose vaccine requirements as these are a term and condition of employment that must be negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act. Other employment issues include payment for the time getting vaccinated, and also potential overtime issues if delays in administration at a public location or pharmacy push a non-exempt worker into more than 40 hours in the work week. Worksite vaccine programs should include communication of vaccine information, including At the present time, there is no federal COVID-19 standard although the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is scheduled to make a decision in March 2021 on whether to proceed with an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). iStockphoto.com/nikom1234/fpm